Change of plans?

...You bet.

After much deliberation, I have decided to take this diving to the next level and do a Dive Master here on Koh Tao. It's a two month course full of theory and tests and diving and planning things. The course is a lot of hard work, not just fun and games! Because it's so long, (and I would hope that after committing that time I would be able to find a job as a dive master here for the next while) I've decided to head back to Vancouver a month early to tie up some loose ends, and then head back over to begin this course and stay for a while. I know, big change!

What can I say? I guess I fell in love with this little island as well as diving and I'm ready for a bit of a change in my life plans. I'm excited to actually say it, and it's exciting to know that I've got at least another two months if not more, in this paradise!

I'll be back in Van on Feb 26th, to move my stuff back to my moms, clean up my apartment, settle some bills, and repack things I'll actually need for living instead of just traveling. I'm planning on bringing my laptop back over so I'll be able to be in touch all teh time as well as a few more shirts....I'm pretty sick of the four I've got. Who knows how long this will go, (well at least 2 months), but it's going to be great!

On another note, I just finished my rescue diver course, and what fun that was! Four days of jumping in and out of the water, providing 'cpr' and 'mouth to mouth' on my still breathing pateints and dragging them back to the boat. Or dealing with fake scenarios under water, like someone pretending they had passed out! I would have to deal with that situation and bring them to the surface at a good speed, all on my own, then once they're up, start first aid and start taking them out of their scuba gear, and then tow them back to the boat AND THEN after allll that and being so tired, actually getting them back up the boats ladder with just my own manpower. We also learned how to search for missing divers in certain patterns around the boat using compasses. Although, my favourite scenario was sitting and relaxing on the top deck for about two minutes, then having the instructor yell "Help! Someone is drowning by that buoy (a good ways from the boat), Quick kit up jump in and swim to them and back." We'd rush down, get dressed jump in and head over, make it there and back, get out of the gear, and literally as soon as we were just in our wetsuits again, he would yell, "quick! someone needs help at that buoy!" and we'd do it again... I was panting pretty good after that...let me tell you, it's hard work! I've slept pretty darn well those last 4 nights. But I've learned a lot and know how to deal with any major emergency. This dive master course will expand further on it as well.

Anyway, that is what is happening. I'm going to do one more night dive while I'm here, and then I'm most likely heading to Koh Phagnan for 2 or 3 days in the next day or two with my room mates. I'm looking forward to seeing Friends and family while I'm home, and knowing that I'm able to come back, quite soon! Koh Tao ceratinly has me trapped. And I love it.